How to Perform a Self-Breast Examination?
How to Perform a Self-Examination of Your Breasts?
This can be done standing in front of a mirror,
lying down,
or in the shower. Stand in front of a mirror completely undressed from the waist up. There should be sufficient light.
The examination has two parts: visual examination and manual examination.
1a) Visual examination
This should be done in front of a mirror.
The areas to be examined are:
The breast itself and nipples,
The armpits and the area under the breasts.
1. Stand in front of a mirror with both arms freely at your sides and shoulders upright. Turning to the front and then to the sides, examine your breasts for size, symmetry, skin color, shape, nipples, under-breast area, and armpits. Note that your breasts may not be the same size; this is a normal finding.
2. Repeat the same observation with your arms raised or with both arms behind your head. While doing this, look at your breasts, nipples, and armpits. Note whether there is any swelling in the armpits.
3. Place your hands firmly on your waist, pressing down on your pelvic bones. Lean forward slightly, raising your shoulders slightly. Look at your breasts from the front and from both sides. Note that there are no retractions or depressions in the skin.
Look for any signs of breast skin retraction, an orange peel-like appearance, redness, enlargement of one breast, nipple retraction, or scaly lesions. Contact your doctor if you notice any unusual findings. Recurrent, persistent burning and pain in the nipples, accompanied by skin changes, may be a very early sign of cancer (Paget’s disease).
2a) Manual Examination
This can be done while lying down,
in the shower,
in front of a mirror.
Areas to be examined:
The breast itself and nipples,
armpits and under-breast areas.
Begin the examination by making small circular movements with the pads of your three middle fingers (a), gradually increasing the pressure from light to firm.
Use your left hand for the right breast and your right hand for the left breast (b,c).
Examine your entire breast by palpating it. Repeat the same examinations on your other breast.
You can make the examination easier by applying body lotion or soap to your fingers to increase lubrication.
Examine the entire breast area, starting below the collarbone (Figure A). Examine your entire breast by sliding your hand along parallel vertical lines (a), or by drawing concentric circles clockwise starting below the collarbone (b), or by drawing arrows ending at the nipple (c). Gently squeeze the nipple between your thumb and index finger to check for any discharge.
Initial examinations help you become familiar with the structure of your breasts. If you notice any different, persistent fullness or lumps during subsequent examinations, contact your doctor.
2b) Manual examination while lying down
This is the most comfortable examination method.
It can be done lying on your back.
The areas to be examined are:
The breast itself and nipples,
The armpits and the area under the breasts.
Place a small pillow or folded towel under the shoulder on the side you are examining.
Place the arm on the same side above your head.
Begin the examination by making circular movements with the padded sections of the 3 middle fingers of your other hand, increasing the pressure from light to firm (a).
Place your arm at your side and examine the armpit area with your other hand (b).
Check for discharge by squeezing the nipple between the thumb and index finger of your other hand (c).
Repeat the same examinations on your other breast.
Manual examination while standing, sitting, or in the shower
Areas to be examined:
The breast itself and nipples,
Armpits and under-breast areas.
Place the arm on the side you are examining above or behind your head.
Begin the examination by making circular movements with the pads of the 3 middle fingers of your other hand, increasing the pressure from light to firm (a).
Examine the armpit area (b).
Gently squeeze the nipple between the thumb and index finger of your other hand to check for discharge (c). Repeat the same examination on your other breast.